Apparatus for slotting the ends of tubing



Oct. 20, 1964 E. l. coULoN APPARATUS FOR sLoTTING THE ENDS 0F TUBING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1963 mlm llllll! Oct. 20, 1964 E. l. couLoN APPARATUS FOR sLoTTING THE ENDS oF TUBING 2 SheetsfSheet 2 Filed June 25, 1963 United States Patent O @ice This invention relates to an apparatus for slotting the ends of tubing. `More specifically the invention relates to a punching mechanism for slotting or punching out slots in lthe end of a tube, the said mechanism being an improvement `over the F. Koster Patent 2,704,124 patented March 1955.`

In the aforementioned patent an apparatus is provided for not'ching out portions of tube ends, the said apparatus including reciprocating slide means carrying a notching punch which during the downward stroke of a press is effective to notch out .opposed slots at the end of the tube.A It isa prime object of the present invention to provide an improvement in a slotting unit wherein the slotting tube action takes place exteriorly of the housing of the apparatus so that the parts can quickly be interchanged for purposes of sharpening or for changing the size of a punch and die assembly in preparation for slotting a variety of tubes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an im- I proved slotting apparatus for slottiug a tube end, the said apparatus including a punch having cutting edges projecting upwardly through the front wall of a housing and being engageable with die elements positioned exteriorly of the housing wherein the tube end of a tube may be slotted andthe die elements may be readily adjusted for different sizes of the tube and may -be readily removed and replaced yfor purposes of sharpening and maintenance. I Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved apparatus for `slotting tubing, the said apparatus comprising a housing of relatively small size which encloses a punch slide,` the said housing including punch element adapted to project exteriorly of the housing and being adapted to engage a tube and exteriorly positioned dies poistioned adjacent the tube end whereby the slotting action takes place exteriorly of the tube and large size of tubes may be slotted without increasing the size of the housing.

A still further object is toprovide an improved apparatus for slotting the ends of tubing wherein the apparatus includes a housing having a reciprocating slide, the said slide including punch means which project through the housing and slots tubing exteriorly thereof in cooperation with a plurality of die elements to which there may be ready access for disassembly for the purposes of maintenance. These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the description when examined in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings.

' In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus for slotting the ends of tubing;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view through the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 and taken along the line 2-2` thereof; f i A i FIGURE 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the line 3-3 thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an 'exploded perspective view showing associated parts of a tube slotting apparatus;

` FIGURE 5 is a detail view of a punch holder and punch assembly; and

FIGURE 6 is a detail perspective view showing a tube after a slotting operation performed by the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 through 5.

3,153,360 Patented Oct. 20, 1964 Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 an apparatus for slotting the ends of tubing is generally designated by the reference character 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a base 11 having suitably connected thereto a rear wall 12, a front wall 13 and side walls 14 and 15; The walls 12, 13, I4 and 15 provide a housing generally designated by the reference character 16. The front wall 13 as best sho-wn in FIGURE 1 is provided with an enlarged opening 17.

A slide 18, best shown in FIGURES 1 and 4 is disposed within the housing 16 for reciprocation. The slide 1S as best shown in FIGURE 4 is provided with a cylindrical recess 19 into which projects a screw 20. The slide 18 has at one end a tapered cam portion 21 and at its other end a tapered cam portion 22. Centering rods 23 are secured to the lower ends of the slide 18 on opposite ends thereof. The centering rods 23 as best shown in FIGURE 2 are provided with springs 25 held captive between the walls 14 and 15 and nuts on said rods 23 which are not shown. The rods 23 are suitably reciprocal in openings 24 provided in the end walls 14 and 15. As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 vertically movable plate 26 -is disposed above the housing 16. The plate 26 has secured thereto an upwardly projecting stem 27 which is adapted to be positioned in the ram of a punch press (not shown). The plate 26 has projecting downwardly therefrom a cam 23 having a cam 29 which is adapted to move downwardly into the housing 16. Further, fthe plate V26 has connected thereto another cam 30 having a cam face 31 which also is adaptedto project downwardly into-the housing 16. The cam surface 29 is adapted to engage the cam Z1 and the cam surface 31 is adapted to engage the cam face 22 of the slide 1S.

The punch holder is designated generally at 32, in FIGURE 4, the said punch holder 32 having a cylindrical connecting portion 33 which is adapted to engage the recess19 in mating relation. The punch holder 32 also has a head 34 provided with a transversely extending recess 35 adapted to receive and support a punch generally designated at 36. The punch 36 comprises an enlarged base 37` which tits into the recess 35, the said head of the punch holder 32 also being provided with an opening 38 through which the screw ZtlV extends. A threaded bore 39 is provided with an opening 3S through which the screw Ztl extends. A threaded bore 39 is provided in the -base 37 and is adapted toy be secured by means of the screw 20. Thrust blocks 40 are provided within the recess 35 and screws 41 extend through the punch holder 32 into threaded bores 41 provided in the slide 18 one of which is best shown in FIGURE 4.

The punch 36 is provided with a narrow punch element 42 of a thickness substantially the same as the width of the slot which is to be prepared in the end of a tube. The narrow punch element 42 has on opposite sides thereof cutting edges 43. A pair of die means 44 are positioned exteriorly of the housing 16, with one die means being positioned on opposite sides of the cutting edges 43. Each die means 44 comprises an upward die block 45 having through slots 46. Each upper die block is undercut as indicated at 47 to provide a shoulder 48. Lower die blocks are designated at 49 and each is provided with anundercut 50 and a shoulder 51. The shoulders 4? and 51 are placed in abutting relation and the undercuts 47 and 50 thereby provide at their inner cutting edges generally designated by the reference character 52. Each of the lower die blocks 49 is provided with a tapered slug relief portion as indicated at 53 in FIG- URES 1 and 4. The lower die blocks 49 are also provided with through slots 54 and as shown in FIGURE 1 cap screws 55 extend through clamp straps 56, into the front Wall 13 of the housing 16.

As best shown in FIGURE l upper spacer blocks 57 and lower spacer blocks 58 are disposed between the die means 44 and with the die means 44 provide a space for receiving and supporting the end of a tube. Cap screws 59 suitably secure the spacer blocks to the front face of the front wall 13. A top plate 6i) is suitably cut out to permit movement of the cams 28 and Si) and is secured to the top of the rear wall 12 and front wall 13 by means of screws 61.

`The Wall 15 is provided with an extension 62 which projects forwardly of the wall 13, the said extension having upper and lower set-screws 63 positioned therein and engaging the die means 44 to securely retain the same in the position indicated. Similarly an elongated block 64 is suitably secured to the front face of the front wall 13 and includes set-screws 65 which are in engagement with the right-hand die means 44 for retaining the same in position. j

FIGURE 6 shows a tube 66 after it has been slotted by the apparatus to provide the slots 67 and the slugs removed are designated at 68.

In the Operation In the operation the apparatus is placed upon the platen of a suitable power press, neither of which are shown, and the tube 66 is inserted into the space provided by the die means 44 and upper and lower spacer blocks 57 and 58. The tube end is positioned against the head 34 and the punch element is disposed within the tube with the cutting edges in position for cutting engagement with the tube. The plate 26 is now moved downwardly and initially the cam 30 engages the slide 18 to move the same to the left whereby the left-hand cutting edges 43 of the punch element 42 lcut through the tube ends of the left-hand side and in cooperation with Vthe cutting edges 52 on the left-hand side cut through and produce the slot 67 on one side of the tube 66. As the plate 26 moves down further during the same movement the cam 2S engages the slide 18 to reciprocate the slide to the right whereupon the right-hand side of the tube is slotted since the right-hand cutting edge 43 now with the die means 44 on the right-hand side and cutting edges 52 provide the slotting of the right-hand slot of the tube. The tube is now removed and the cycle can be repeated. Thus it is clear that the operation is quite simple in that upon reciprocation of the slide 1S both notches 67 are performed on the tube 66.

In the event that a larger tube is to be slotted it is a simple matter to remove the die means 44 laterally with respect to each other by simply loosening the screws 55 and 65 whereupon they may be moved laterally outwardly to widen the space. Further the spacer blocks 57 and 58 are then merely changed to accommodate the Wider space provided. Thus a wider tube may be slotted or a narrower tube may be slotted by merely making this simple change. If, of course, it is desired to changethe size of the slots in the tube then the punch 42 and'die means 44 must be changed. Since the parts are all exterior of the housing 16 it is a simple matter to unloosen the screws which hold the parts in position and eiectuate this change. This is accomplished by merely changing the die blocks 45 and 49 and the punch element 42 whereupon the proper sizes are selected. Also it is clear that the position of the cutting parts are such that they may readily be removed for sharpeningV for other maintenance purposes. Thus avvariety of diierent tubing as well as slots may be readily accommodated by the improvement herein disclosed. The slug 68 can readily be disposed of through the slug relief shoulders 53 provided on the lower side blocks 49.

Thus an improved apparatus is disclosed which clearly provides an improved structure and fully meets the object of the invention. It is realized that changes and modifications may be made which do not depart from the spirit of the invention as disclosed or from the scope thereof as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus yfor forming opposed slots in the end of tubing comprising;

(a) a supporting base,

(b) a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls supported on said base providing a rectangular housing,

(c) a slide member disposed in said housing for reciprocating movement,

(d) said front wall having an enlarged opening,

(e) a punch holder supported on said slide for movement therewith,

(f) said punch holder having a head projecting inwardly into said enlarged opening, (g) said head including a transversely extending openend recess.

(h) a punch having a base portion conforming to and being supported within said recess,

(i) said punch including a relatively narrow punch element having horizontally spaced cutting edges projecting outwardly from said front wall,

(j) means securing said base portionwithin said recess including a pair of removable securing members connected to said head on opposite sides of said base and disposed within said recess,

(lc) a die means positioned on opposite sides of said cutting edges,

(l) each die means comprising an upper die block and a lower die block,

(m) said die blocks including horizontally extending slots,

(n) securing members extending through said slots connecting said die blocks to the front Wall of said housing whereby said die blocks may be adjusted laterally with respect to said cutting edges,

(o) each die block having an undercut portion providing an open end recess on each die means facing said front wall,

(p) said recess being provided with second cutting edges disposedin mating relation with said iirst cutting edge on opposite sides thereof,

(q) upper and lower support blocks connected to said front face respectively above and below said punch element and with said die means providing a space outside said housing for receiving the end of a tube, whereby said tube may be positioned with one end over said punch and in engagement with said head of said holder,

(r) and means for reciprocating said slide whereby said iirst cutting edges successively engage, in mating relation, said second cutting edges to thereby punch opposed slots in the end of said tube.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim l wherein said means engaging said slide member for reciprocating said slide includes power actuated means to provide said reciprocation during movement in one direction of said power actuated means.

3. Apparatus for forming opposed slots in the end of tubing comprising;

(a) a supporting base,

(b) a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls supported on said base providing a rectangular housing,

(c) a slide member disposed in said housing for reciprocating movement,

(d) said front wall having an enlarged opening,

(e) a punch holder supported on said slide for movement therewith,

(f) said punch holder having a head projecting inwardly into said enlarged opening and being flush with said front wall,

(g) said head including a transversely extending openend recess.

(h) a punch having a base portion conforming to and being supported within said recess,

(i) said punch including a relatively narrow punch element having horizontally spaced cutting edges projecting outwardly from said front wall,

(i) means securing said base portion within said recess including a pair of removable securing members connected to said head on opposite sides of said base and disposed within said recess,V

- (k) a die means positioned on oppositev sides of said cutting edges,

(l) each die means comprising an upper die block and a lower die block,

(m) said die blocks including horizontally extending slots,

(n) securing members extending through said slots connecting said die blocks to the front wall of said housing whereby said die blocks may be adjusted laterally with respect to said cutting edges,

(o) each die block having an undercut portion providing an open end recess on each die means facing said front wall,

(p) said recesses being provided with second cutting edges disposed in mating relation with said lirst cutting edges on opposite sides thereof,

(q) upper and lower spacer blocks connected to said front face respectively above and below said punch element and with said die means providing a space outside said housing for receiving the end of a tube, whereby said tube may be positioned with one end over said punch and in engagement with said head of said holder,

(r) and means for reciprocating said slide whereby said rst cutting edges respectively engage, in mating relation, said second cutting edges to thereby punch opposed slots in the end of said tube.

4. Apparatus for forming opposed slots in the end of tubing comprising;

(a) a supporting base,

(b) a rear wall and front wall, and side walls supported on said base providing a rectangular housing,

(c) a slide member disposed in said housing for reciprocating movement,

(d) said front wall having an enlarged opening,

(e) a punch holder supported on said slide for movement therewith,

(f) said punch holder having a head projecting inwardly into said enlarged opening,

(g) said head including a transversely extending openend recess,

(h) a punch having a base portion conforming to and being supported within said recess,

(i) said punch including a relatively narrow punch element having horizontally spaced cutting edges projecting outwardly from said front wall,

(j) means securing said base portion within said recess,

(k) a die means comprising an upper die block and a lower die block,

(l) said die blocks including horizontally extending slots,

(m) securing members extending through said slots connecting said die blocks to the front wall of said housing whereby said die blocks may be adjusted laterally with respect to said cutting edges,

(n) each die means having an undercut portion providing an open end recess on each die means facing said front wall,

(o) said recesses terminating in second cutting edges disposed in mating relation with said first cutting edges on opposite sides thereof, j

(p) upper and lower spacer blocks connected to said front face respectively above and below said punch element and with said die means providing a space outside said housing for receiving the end of a tube whereby said tube may be positioned with one end over said punch and in engagement with said head of said holder.

5. Apparatus for forming opposed slots in the end of tubing;

(a) a supporting base,

`(b) Aa rear wall, a front wall, and side walls'supported on said base providing a rectangular housing,

(c) a slide mounted for 'reciprocating movement within said housing,

(d) said front wall having an enlarged opening.

(e) a punch holder supported on said slide for movement therewith, (f) said punch holder having a head projecting inwardly into said enlarged opening,

(g) said head including a transversely extending open end recess,

(h) a punch having a base portion conforming to and being supported within said recess,

(i) said punch including a relatively narrow punch element having horizontally spaced cutting edges projecting outwardly from said front wall,

(j) means securing said base portion within said recess,

(k) a die means positioned on opposite sides of said cutting edges,

(l) each die means comprising an upper die block and a lower die block,

(m) said die blocks including horizontally extending slots,

(n) securing members extending through said slots connecting said die blocks to the front wall of said housing whereby said die blocks may be adjusted laterally with respect to said cutting edges,

(o) each die block having an undercut portion providing an open end recess on each die means facing said front wall,

(p) said die blocks at ends of said recesses being provided with second cutting edges disposed in mating relation with said rst cutting edges on opposite sides thereof,

(q) said die means providing a spaced outside said housing for receiving the end of a tube whereby said tube may be positioned with one end over said punch and in engagement with said head of said holder,

(r) and means for reciprocating said slide whereby said rst cutting edges successively engage, in mating relation, said second cutting edges to thereby punch opposed slots in the end of said tube.

6. Apparatus for forming opposed slots in the end of tubing comprising;

(a) a supporting base,

(b) a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls supported on said base providing a rectangular housing,

(c) a slide member disposed in said housing for reciprocating movement,

(d) said front wall having an enlarged opening,

(e) a punch holder supported on said slide for movement therewith,

(f) said punch holder having a head projecting inwardly into said enlarged opening,

(g) said head including a transversely extending openend recess, (h) a punch having a base portion conforming to and being supported within said recess,

(i) said punch including a relatively narrow punch element having horizontally spaced cutting edges projecting outwardly from said front wall,

(j) means securing said base portion within said recess,

(k) a die means positioned on opposite sides of said cutting edges,

(l) each die means comprising an upper die block and a lower die block,

(m) securing members connecting said die blocks to the first wall of said housing whereby said die blocks may be adjusted laterally with respect to said cutting edges,

(n) each die block having an undercut portion providing an open end recess on each die means facing said front wall,

(o) said die means at ends of said recesses being provided with second cutting edges disposed in mating `(q) and means for reciprocating said slide whereby said first cutting edegs successively engage, in mating relation, said second cutting edges to thereby punch opposed slots in the end of said tube.

8. References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,704,124 3/55 Koster 83-190 2,765,848 10/56 Bakula 83-693 FOREIGN PATENTS 499,946 6/ 30 Germany.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR FORMING OPPOSED SLOTS IN THE END OF TUBING COMPRISING; (A) A SUPPORTING BASE, (B) A REAR WALL, A FRONT WALL, AND SIDE WALLS SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE PROVIDING A RECTANGULAR HOUSING, (C) A SLIDE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT, (D) SAID FRONT WALL HAVING AN ENLARGED OPENING, (E) A PUNCH HOLDER SUPPORTED ON SAID SLIDE FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, (F) SAID PUNCH HOLDER HAVING A HEAD PROJECTING INWARDLY INTO SAID ENLARGED OPENING, (G) SAID HEAD INCLUDING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING OPENEND RECESS. (H) A PUNCH HAVING A BASE PORTION CONFORMING TO AND BEING SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID RECESS, (I) SAID PUNCH INCLUDING A RELATIVELY NARROW PUNCH ELEMENT HAVING HORIZONTALLY SPACED CUTTING EDGES PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FRONT WALL, (J) MEANS SECURING SAID BASE PORTION WITHIN SAID RECESS INCLUDING A PAIR OF REMOVABLE SECURING MEMBERS CONNECTED TO SAID HEAD ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BASE AND DISPOSED WITHIN SAID RECESS, (K) A DIE MEANS POSITIONED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CUTTING EDGES, (L) EACH DIE MEANS COMPRISING AN UPPER DIE BLOCK AND A LOWER DIE BLOCK, (M) SAID DIE BLOCKS INCLUDING HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING SLOTS, (N) SECURING MEMBERS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOTS CONNECTING SAID DIE BLOCKS TO THE FRONT WALL OF SAID HOUSING WHEREBY SAID DIE BLOCKS MAY BE ADJUSTED LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID CUTTING EDGES, (O) EACH DIE BLOCK HAVING AN UNDERCUT PORTION PROVIDING AN OPEN END RECESS ON EACH DIE MEANS FACING SAID FRONT WALL, (P) SAID RECESS BEING PROVIDED WITH SECOND CUTTING EDGES DISPOSED IN MATING RELATION WITH SAID FIRST CUTTING EDGE ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, (Q) UPPER AND LOWER SUPPORT BLOCKS CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT FACE RESPECTIVELY ABOVE AND BELOW SAID PUNCH ELEMENT AND WITH SAID DIE MEANS PROVIDING A SPACE OUTSIDE SAID HOUSING FOR RECEIVING THE END OF A TUBE, WHEREBY SAID TUBE MAY BE POSITIONED WITH ONE END OVER SAID PUNCH AND IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID HEAD OF SAID HOLDER, (R) AND MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID SLIDE WHEREBY SAID FIRST CUTTING EDGES SUCCESSIVELY ENGAGE, IN MATING RELATION, SAID SECOND CUTTING EDGES TO THEREBY PUNCH OPPOSED SLOTS IN THE END OF SAID TUBE. 